9 Home Remedies for Migraines and Headaches

Migraine is a genetic complex neurological disorder that causes moderate to severe headaches. The headaches come with nausea and increased sensitivity to light and sound. This article contain home remedies for migraines that will help you in any case of attack. (1,2)

A 2015 study found that migraines is the leading headache condition in the world. See figure 1 below.

A 2018 study poses that migraines usually affect one side of the head or specific positions of the head. Other studies have found that it may occur for up to 15 days a month in people with chronic migraines. (3,4)

According to the American migraine foundation, migraines can run in families and affect both children and adults. (5)

When you have a migraine, you’ll try virtually everything to get rid of it. But, before we look at some home remedies for migraines, let’s look at what causes this kind of headache.

What causes headaches?

The national institute of health poses two categories of headaches. These includes, Primary and Secondary headaches.

A primary headache occurs when your head malfunctions. However, secondary headaches involve chemical activities within the body beyond mere infections. (6)

The most commonly reported headaches in the United States are secondary headaches, which are reminiscent symptoms of an illness that causes headaches. (7)

Although these headaches may be due to other health conditions, migraine is a primary headache resulting from a neurobiological disorder affecting the brain.

It had no specific treatment in the clinical world. Currently, the medical world use triptans and other anti-inflammatory drugs to cure migraines, but these drugs are costly and have adverse side effects. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid the triggers for migraines.

Facts about migraines

According to the center for disease control and prevention (CDC), migraines are debilitating and one of the causes of disability worldwide. Moreover, they treat migraine in an emergency department setting.

A 2016 report by the world health organization (WHO) shows that 1.7-4% of the adult population suffers from migraines. The prevalence of these headaches are prevalent in women than in men.

How do you get rid of migraines naturally?

Find here natural remedies at home that are outsourced from medically reviewed journals.

1 – Hydrate

A 2020 study suggests a close link between dehydration and migraines. Simple dehydration is often the reason for headaches. Keep drinking mainly non-caffeinated beverage throughout the day. (8,9)

Avoid cola drinks because these non-calorie sugars cause headache symptoms and can cause migraines.(10)

A high amount of sugar affects magnesium levels within your system. Low magnesium could lead to headaches and it can also cause pain if drank too often. (11)

2 – Cold or Hot fomentation

Ice constricts the blood vessels and reduces pain and inflammation. Apply ice packs to the head if you feel the onset and the symptoms are mild.(12)

Alternately, try hot if you notice strained muscle tension. Use hot pads or hot packs to tighten the neck muscles and then relax with a cold bath. It has worked out for both severe headache and other symptoms.(13)

3 – Napping for preventing migraine

Find a warm, dark place to rest for 15-30 minutes. Lack of sleep can cause migraines. A 2022 study found that napping is one of the strategies that may control migraines and other headaches at home.

Another 2016 study connects sleep quality with migraine attacks. Its advisable to improve the quality of your sleep to overcome migraines.

Power nap is one of the home remedies that can quickly alleviate migraine pain. Although too much sleep may trigger headaches.(14, 15)

4 – Exercise

A 2021 randomized study on the effectiveness of physical exercise on migraines showed notable improvement in symptoms.

Peer-reviewed studies in 2015 suggest that patients suffering from migraines should carry out physical exercises with moderate intensity, frequency, and duration. (16)

It’s an excellent solution for headache pain as exercises relieve muscle tension. Engaging in physical activity will reduce your migraine frequency and prevent future occurrences.

5 –Scalp massage

A scalp massage may help relieve migraine pain. For those with migraines, scalp massage can relieve the symptoms and promote more effective blood circulation. Scalp massage may not be helpful for people with Allodynia. (17)

Massage can be a beneficial home remedy when dealing with headaches. Basic massage is a technique that relieves tension headaches. (18)

Using circular movements or firmly sanding the neck and back can be a helpful technique in an incident of a migraine attack. Therefore, you should get both head and full-body massages to reduce migraine frequency.

6 – Magnesium

Low magnesium levels can cause headaches, particularly in women, especially migraines or menstruation-related headaches. (19, 20)

An international journal publication recommends a magnesium intake of 300 to 400mg daily. (21)

It will help if you increase your magnesium intake to reduce migraine symptoms. Foods rich in magnesium include leafy green vegetables, flax seeds, cashews, etc.

7 – Cayenne Pepper

Red chilly pepper contains capsaicin which is very helpful with neurogenic inflammation and may reduce migraine symptoms. (22)

At Earth Clinic on home remedies for headaches, this seems like an option for bravery. Headache relief with cayenne peppers is popular with patients with headache clusters. (23)

To use cayenne, breathe a little through your nose and tongue and apply it to your chin. This one is my personal favorite. It’s working. (24)

8 – Herbal Tea

While soothing, herbal tea helps relieve stress, headaches, and fatigue. When making herbal tea for medicinal purposes, the longer duration for drinking is usually 10-15 minutes. Keep your cups covered in an airtight container.

9 – Essential Oils

A 2012 research suggests that inhaling lavender oil is effective for the acute management of migraine headaches.

Lavender essential oil is recommended for migraine relief by a study done by a European neurological source because lavender oil can relieve stress and aid relaxation of muscles. (25)

Research done in 2020 has found that basil essential oil can reduce the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks

Chamomile is a traditional Iran Ethno-medicine for pain and headaches. Therefore, it is novel medicine that may relieve migraine pain. (26)

What is the fastest way to cure a migraine?

Use Ginger

Ginger has long been used to treat nausea induced by a variety of ailments, including migraines. It could also help with migraines in other ways. (27)

According to phytotherapy research, A total of 100 participants took part in the study, which compared the effectiveness of ginger powder to sumatriptan, a typical migraine medication. (28)

The researchers discovered that ginger was statistically comparable to sumatriptan in terms of effectiveness and that users were as eager to continue with either medication. (28)

One clear benefit for people with migraine is that ginger is safe to use and has no negative side effects unless you have an allergy to it.

Acupressure

Acupressure is used to treat migraine and other headache symptoms using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Applied acupressure has shown that the brain activates self-regulatory mechanisms.

A 2020 study affirmed that acupressure can relieve migraine symptoms. The operation uses pressure to stimulate the pressure points on a pressure plate. But, you can try acupressure yourself. Acupressure may help relieve tight muscles and reduce headaches.

Feverfew

European neurology showed that a high proportion of patients were experiencing less migraine attack if they took feverfew daily. (29)

Medically reviewed studies have shown feverfew is effective in fighting migraines. The researchers found improvement in migraine pain in people taking feverfew daily as part of the white-wheat treatment. (30,31)

You may also use herbal supplement containing aspirin that may prevent and treat migraine pain.

Take vitamin B2

A 2015 study showed that taking 400 mg per day of vitamin B2-containing foods for three months cab reduce the frequency and duration of migraine symptoms. Taking vitamin B2 may be one of the natural ways to treat migraines. (32)

It needs further study in order to understand why vitamins A and E reduce the chances of getting migraine.

Take melatonin

A peer-reviewed study poses that melatonin concentration is low in individuals suffering from migraines. (33)

A 2020 study found that melatonin has significant effects on migraine symptoms. It’s an ideal remedy when you experience migraines and sleep disorders.

It’s advisable to increase your body’s ability to secrete more melatonin by improving your diet. Eat a lot of nuts and legumes, which increase the amount of melatonin in your system. (34)

Melatonin may also help reduce headaches and can also help reduce blood pressure, insomnia, and other sleep disorders.

Consider peppermint oil

Research done in 2019 found that peppermint oil’s nasal application can considerably reduce headaches’ frequency and intensity.

Another 2010 study proves that peppermint oil has menthol, which helps in relieving headaches.

Please take a few drops of peppermint oil and apply them to the forehead and temples as an early indication of migraines.

Avoid light and noise pollution

Medically reviewed sources pose that migraines are sensitive to bright lights and sound. You may manage migraines by modifying your environment to avoid external triggers. (35)

Doctors advise relaxation in dark spaces. Try sleeping in a quiet room free from loud noises.

How can I relieve headache pain

Here are some at-home treatments that are recommended by several peer-reviewed studies. They compose natural remedies for chronic migraine headache triggers.

Butterbur

A 2022 study poses that extracts of leaves and roots of butterbur cant treat migraines. Thus, it may be used for migraine prevention.

In addition to that, another experimental study found that additional dietary supplements of butterbur can decrease headaches by 45 % compared to the control group by 15%. (36)

Eat regularly

One of the most neglected home remedy for migraine is regularity in meals. Headaches may also result from drastic changes in glucose level.

A 2020 study found that most people with migraines don’t have regular diets and meal times. Fluctuations in the body’s glucose levels may also trigger headaches.

Dietary changes

Caffeine is one of the food triggers for migraine if consumed in excess. Caffeine can be a mild analgesic for migraines or an adjuvant for other analgesics (37)

Some people keep note of their probable triggers by keeping a food diary or a migraine journal. Change your diet or eating habits to avoid triggers in your daily life. Its therefore advisable that you make dietary changes for preventing migraine.

Keep a daily food journal to determine which foods and beverages cause your migraines. You may be required to do away with specific foods to help you recover. (38,39)

Omega-3 fatty acids intake

A 2018 study suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the duration of migraines by 3.44 hours. A diet full of omega-3s is an excellent way to reduce migraine attacks. Furthermore, more scientific sources pose that these fatty acids may help reduce headache severity.

When to see a doctor for your migraine headache?

When you don’t realize any changes after using natural remedies for migraines then you should seek further medical advice from professional healthcare providers. Some doctors says that migraines can suggest something more serious, like a stroke.

The following symptoms should make you see your doctors:

• Headaches that goes past 72 hours

• When the migraines comes with seizures and blurred vision

• Uncontrollable vomit

• If you have any other underlying health condition.

Word from Gilead on Home remedies for migraines

The above natural remedies are drawn from medically reviewed sources and are therefore safe for your health conditions.

Keep track also on common food triggers that affect the blood flow in your brain such as stimulants.

If your migraine persist even after using the remedies outlined here then you need to seek internal medicine from a healthcare professional.